Cupola furnace



eco 30, 1941. F. J. ZIPPLER CUPOLA FURNACE Filed Jan. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [P4776719 Jap/er INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Dec. 30, 1941. F. J. ZIPPLER CUPOLA FURNACE Filed Jan. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 30, 1941 s PATENT OFFICE cUroLA FURNACE Francis J. Zippler,--Pit tsburgh, Pa., assignor 0f one-fifth to Ralph W. Carson, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application January 3, 1940, Serial No. 312,274 4 Claims. (of. zen-s0) This invention relates to furnaces and more particularly to cupola furnaces.

The primary object ofthis invention is the provision of a twyer construction of the furnace which may be readily adjusted for varying paths of air entering the furnace and acting to preheat to prevent metal freezing, the twyer construction including removable, twyer blocks readily adjustable relative to each other for controlling the paths of air into the furnace and without disturbing the cupola or other parts of the furnace and which also permits easy removal of the bosh blocks of the cupola and adjustments and replacements may be rapidly accomplished thereby preventing undue delay in the operation of the furnace or the closing down of the furnace operation for periods of time expensive to production.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a portion of a cupola furnace equipped witha twyer construction constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective View illustrating one of the twyer blocks.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a modification of the twyer con struction.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing another modification of the twyer construction.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating one i struction shown in Figure 5.

4. which may be readily removed when damaged Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a further modification in my twyer construction.

Figure 7 is a view taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 1. 1 I

Figure 8 is view taken along the line 8B;of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, a fragmentary portion of thefurnace is indicated by the character. I and includes a neck portion 2, a throat portion 3 and a metal receivingchamberA. The construction of cupola furnace of this type is well known in the art and it is not thought necessary to further describe in detail the construction of thefurnace itself. Formed-in the walls of the furnace construction is an air chamber '5 fed. in any well known manner by air under pressure. This also is well known in cupola type furnaces.

Arranged in annular formation within the throat portion of the furnace are bosh blocks 6 each including an upwardly and inwardly inclined portion land a vertical portion 8. Formed on the bosh block whereby the portions 1 and 8 merge together is a hook-shaped flange 9 to engage or interlock with an upstanding flange I0 formed on an upper supporting plate I I. An intermediate supporting plate I2 is arranged below and spaced. from the upper supporting plate. Hook shaped portions I3 and I4 are formed on the plates. II and I2 and interlockwith upstanding flanges I5 and I6 formed on a supporting block I1, the latter having an opening I8 for the purpose of. receiving a bolt or like fastener for securing the supporting block on the usual shell (not shown) ofv the furnace construction. It is to be understood that-the supporting block I! and supporting: plates II and I2 are arranged in the air chamber 5. The vertical wall 8 of the bosh block. engages with and depends below the supporting plate II so as to cooperate with the hook shaped portion 9 in removably securing the bosh blockon the supportingv plate It. To remove the boshblock it is only necessary to elevate the same a limited distance in order that the hookshaped portion 9 clearthe flange ID.

The intermediate supporting plate. I2 includes an outwardly and. downwardly inclined wall I9 cooperating with a wall 20 in forming a space to removably receive twyer blocks 2| each of a construction as shown in Figure 1 The twyer block-s when assembled in the furnace may be spaced at selected distances apart to form therebetween air passages communicating the air chamber with the throat portion inwhich-air will enter the throat portion horizontally thereof. Each twyer block 2| hasa cutout portion 22 and stood that the air passing between the twyer blocks will be preheated and thereby prevent:

freezing of the metal in the metal receiving chamber.

A lower supporting plate is indicated cured on the shell (not shown) of the furnace. The lower supporting plate 26 includes sections 21 and 28 detachably connected, as shown at 23, that is, the section 21 is bifurcated to receive a portion of the section 28. -The other portion of the'section 28 inclines upwardly and inwardly with respect to the furnace and forms a support for the wall 20, the latter having a notched portion 30 the block in forming the air passage 24 of the shape described. i

The twyer blocks 2| su ported bythe construction described will permit the twyer blocks to by the character 26 which may be sectional and is sebe readily adjusted in a circumferential path for varying the distance between said blocks and thereby permit the air passages defined by said blocks to be varied in size, that is, the air passages which admit air into the furnace in upward and inward paths. Also, the blocks being adjustable relative to each other will bring about adjustment of the paths of air which enter the throat of the furnace in a downward and inward direction relative to each other. The twyer blocks being easily removable will permit them to be replaced by others when damaged within a comparatively short period of time and also due to the twyer construction the bosh blocks may be readily replaced by others when damaged within a comparatively short period of time. The mounting of the supporting plates within the air chamber 5 also permits these plates to be removed and replaced by others when damaged and also the walls 19 and 20 may be easily removed and replaced by others when damaged.

Referring to my modified form of twyer construction as shown in Figure 2, the bosh blocks -3l and twyer blocks 32 are similarlyconstructed 'to the bosh blocks and'twyer blocks described in connection with the disclosuremade in Figure l. I

In the modification shown in Figure 2 the intermediate supporting plate I2 is eliminated and the upper supporting plate 33 thereof carries the downwardly and outwardly inclined wall 34 similar in construction to the wall l9 and which cooperates with a wall 35 similar in construction to the wall 20 in removably supporting the twyer blocks 32. The lower supporting plate 36 supports the wall 35, the latter being removable therefrom. The lower supporting plate 36 in this instance does not include the separable sections. Arranged between the upper and lower supporting plates are supporting elements 31 each of substantially I beam construction and when asso as not to unduly interfere with the flow of air in the air chamber. The supporting elements 31 have flanges 33 acting as supports for the outer ends of the walls I9. In the construction described in Figure 2 paths of air will enter the throat portion of the furnace in an upward and inward direction and also downwardly and inwardly thereof. Further, the construction described in Figure 2 permits easy removal and replacement of the twyer blocks and bosh blocks as well as permitting the twyer blocks to be adjusted relative to each other for varying the distances between said blocks.

Referring to my modified form of invention as shown in Figure 3, upper and lower supporting plates 39 and 40 are employed, the lower supporting plate 40 being similar in construction to the lower plate 36 except the inner end thereof has a gradual curve thereto, as indicated at 4|, to form a rest for the twyer blocks 42. The upper supporting plate 39 supports the bosh blocks 42 in a manner similar to the supporting of the bosh blocks 3| and 6. A'dependinglwall 43 is for'med on the plate 39 and cooperates with the lower plate 40 in supportingthe twyer blocks 42.- In this instance thetwyer construction'includes a each other and permit air ofthe air chamber to pass therebetween and also between th'etwyer blocks entering the throat portion of the furnace in upward and inward directions or in an upward and inward path. Each twyer block 42 has formed therein anupwardly and inwardly extending passage 44 for the purpose of directing air from the chamber 5-upward and inwardly of the throat portion of the furnace. The bosh blocks 42' and twyer blocks 42 can be quickly removed and replaced when necessary and the twyer blocks 42 can be easily adjusted relative to each other forthe purpose of varying the spaces therebetween. v

Referring to the modification of my invention shown in Figures 4 and 4 the upper and lower supporting plates 46 and 41 are similar in con- 'struction to-the supporting plates 39 and vAll. However, the supporting plates 45'have' integral therewith downwardly and outwardly inclined walls 48 each offset, as shown at 49. The walls 48' and lower supporting plate cooperate in removably supporting twyer blocks 50. One face of each block .50 is shaped tqmatch the wall 48 and one face has formed thereon arib 5| to engage with the rest providedion the lower supporting plate 41; Each twyer block 5 0has acut- 'away portion to form an air passage 52 for-"admitting air horizontally into the throat portion of the furnace from the air chamber. The spaces formed between the blocks 53 will admit air in paths extending from the air chamber upwardly and inwardly to the throatportion of the furnace. Referring to the modification shown in Figures 5 and 5 upper and lower supporting plates 53 and are employed, the upper'plates 53 being supported by blocks 55'secured on theshell (not shown) of the furnace and said upperplates removably support bosh blocks 56 which 1m" this instance each includes a downwardly and-outwardly inclined wall 51 entering the air chamber above the lower plates 54.: Received between the walls 51 of the bosh blocks and the lower supporting plates 54 are twyer blocks 58 of solid formation and each of substantially triangular "shape in cross sectionfi These blocks are spaced from each other and cooperate'with the walls with respect to the throat portion of the furnace. Figure '6 illustrates a further modification, in

:which the bosh blocks 69' are provided with 5 flanges SI for hooked engagement with a flange 62 fashioned on a plate 63, which plate is provided with a downwardly and outwardly inclined wall 64. 'A plate 65 is mounted on the brick nected with an angular wall 68 paralleling the inner face of the wall 54, and the wall 68 is connected with a downwardly and inwardly inclined J wall 69.

Figure 6 illustrates a twyer block I9 as having a wedge-like extension 'II having its face 12 pcsitioned adjacentthe inner face of the wall 64, and the twyer block includes a shoulder I3 resting on the ledge I4 of the plate 65. The block plate 63, and the block includes a second wedge element I6 fitting the angular wall 69, with the edge 11 of the block terminating flush with the brick wall face I8.

Between the plates 63 and 65 I position supporting brackets 79, which are substantially U-shaped when viewed according to Figure 6 and located in the air chamber 86, but spaced apart so as not to impede the flow of air into the chamber.

The brick wall 8| above the plate 63 is materially thicker than the wall I8 to provide a constricted neck 82, and the wall above the neck has an upwardly and outwardly inclined bosh face bed 66 and includes a right-angular wall 61 con- 10.

also includes a shoulder I5 which engages the 83 running into the straight wall face 84. Within the wall 8| I incorporate a plurality of upper twyers 85, 85 and 81, which twyers are respectively flanged at 88 for bolted connection with the cupola. shell 89. Twyers 85, 86 and 81 are spaced vertically and a plurality of each twyer may be radially distributed circumferentially of the neck 82. Each twyer is downwardly inclined in a small degree and is of hollow formation and arranged in registration with a port 99 in the shell 89. To the shell 89 I secure conically shaped flanges 9! constituting seats for plungers or valves 92, 93 and 94 respectively associated with the twyers 85, 86 and 81. Valves 92, 93 and 94 include conically shaped heads 95 arranged to have seating engagement with the flanges 9 I, and each head is connected with a hollow rod 96 slidable in a tubular member 9'! extending through an opening 98 in a wind box 99. The tubular members have flanges I99 engaging the wall of the wind box 99 to be bolted thereto.

Heads 95 are bored at IUI, which bores are of the same diameters as the bores in the hollow rods 96 with the common bores providing peep holes to enable the attendant to make visual observations from time to time. Each rod is provided with an actuating handle I92, and the ports 99 leading into the twyers 85, 86 and 91 may be completely closed by pushing their respective valves 92. 95 or 96 into the flanges 9|. Obviously, the amount of air flowing through the ports may be modified in different degrees through adjustment of the valves.

Figure 6 illustrates the wind box 99 as being provided with a blast tube I93 having a neck I 94 bolted to the shell 89 and communicating with the air chamber 89. A damper I95 is rotatably journaled in the blast pipe I83 and includes an actuating member I06 which permits the damper to be adjusted to different positions for varying the volume of air passing into the chamber 89.

- region.

3Windf box 99: is providedlwith an. air blast. pipe IO'IkNejckfM isaprovided with a portlIiiii' and a'peep hole device 'IlJ9,'and the neck is alsc'pro- 'vided with a removable plug IIIl which may be removed to permit molten iron to flow to the floor in case. of an overflow in the twyer.

Wall 64 and the wall 68 are angled in such manner as to direct the flow of air upwardly and inwardly of the furnace, and the tuyere blocks I0 In admay be spaced at desirable intervals. dition,.the wall 69 is so angled as to permit the air blast to be directed downwardly inside the furnace, in addition" to preventing molteniron 1 from dropping-into the tuyere space. The con- 15 trolled tuyeres 85, 86 and 81 permit effective control of the air blast in the main upper tuyere In use, a cupola furnace of a well known type may be readily equipped with a tuyre construction as heretofore described and if desired the furnace may employ at one time tuyere blocks all of one construction and in accordance with any one of the forms heretofore described or the furnace may be equipped at one time with tuyere blocks differing in construction and in accordance with that described in connection with various forms shown in the drawings.

When a furnace is equipped at one time with the different forms of tuyere blocks and supports therefor as has been described in this application it is possible to obtain various directions of flow of air into the furnace from the air chamber some of which may blow or pass straight in horizontally while other air may be directed downwardly in the furnace and still other air may be directed upwardly into the furnace. Air blowing downwardly into the furnace converts the well of the cupola into a preheating zone and the molten iron or metal coming from this zone retains a high temperature longer than iron coming from the usual type of well. The tuyere constructions shown and described in this application when employed will permit a large saving in repair cost with greater melting speed of the metal with a less consumption of fuel.

Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention in detail, it is, of course, understood that I do not desire to limit the scope thereof to the exact details set forth except insofar as those details may be defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a furnace construction having a throat portion above a metal receiving chamber and an air chamber adapted to receive air from a source, a supporting member extending horizontally about said throat adjacent said air chamber, bosh blocks mounted on said supporting member, vertically spaced upper and. lower walls extending horizontally about said throat inside said air chamber, tuyere blocks positioned between said upper and lower walls, said tuyre blocks having vertical walls engaging said upper and lower walls to provide air passages, and air deflecting means on said tuyere blocks arranged,

spaced one from the other and coacting with said upper and lower walls to provide air passages, said tuyere blocks being adjustable toward and away from each other to vary the size of said air passages.

3. In a furnace construction having a throat portion above a metal receiving chamber and an air chamber adapted to receive air from a source, removable tuyre blocks, means within the air chamber, for supporting said tuyere blocks, said means and said tuyre blocks being fashioned to provide air passages adapted to deliver air upwardly, downwardly and inwardly of said throat portion, and bosh blocks supported by the supporting means and engaging the upper faces of the tuyre blocks.

4. In a furnace construction having a throat portion above a metal receiving chamber and an air chamber adapted to receive air from a source, a supporting member extending horizontally about said throat adjacent said air chamber, bosh blocks having hooked portions mounted on said supporting member, vertically spaced upper and lower walls extending horizontally about said throat inside said air chamber, tuyere blocks positioned between said upper and lower walls and engaging the lower ends of the bosh blocks, said tuyre blocks having vertical walls engaging said upper and lower walls to provide air passages, and air deflecting means on said tuyre block arranged to deflect air upwardly and then downwardly and inwardly of said throat portion.

FRANCIS J. ZE'PLER. 

